WYNNEWOOD, Pa. (CBS) — Penn Wynne Elementary School teamed up with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF) on Saturday to host the kickoff event for Lemonade Days, a month-long series of events to raise money for ALSF. Through corporate sponsors, donations and raffle sales, the event raised more than $74,000.
The event marked the 20th anniversary of Lemonade Days, which began in 2004, the year ALSF founder Alex Scott passed away from neuroblastoma. Her mother, Liz Scott, said the loss isn’t getting any easier.
“It obviously feels extra sad to think that it’s been 20 years. It feels like so long, but it also feels like yesterday,” Liz Scott said.
Liz said she is encouraged by how children who now attend Alex’s elementary school are carrying on her legacy decades later.
“It’s really empowering for kids, and I really think that’s what makes Alex’s Lemonade Stand so special,” said Liz Scott. “So I’m excited to see the next generation of kids that can talk about Alex and talk about what we’re doing here.”
Many student volunteers staffed the event, including nine-year-old Mahasin Moore-Hurdle.
“My teacher told me about Alex’s Lemonade Stand and I really wanted to volunteer,” Moore-Hurdle said. “I’m learning to help children with cancer better and trying to raise more money.”
Seven-year-old Alex Yanoff, who shares the founder’s first name, said she knows exactly why she attended Saturday.
“It helps to get more money for people with cancer because some children die from cancer and that’s sad,” Yanoff said.
CBS Philadelphia will host the 18th Annual Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Telethon on Thursday, June 20 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m
